It’s been a hot minute since I’ve had a chance to update this blog. It’s been a busy year and I’m not complaining! I have had a nice mix of forensic and family research clients. Most researchers choose one or the other, but I do enjoy both types of research.
While I “specialize” in a few states, research has taken me all across the country, and to a few other countries. It’s fun to learn about new locations. Records are generally found in similar locations, but their availability varies by state. Washington, D.C. was the most difficult location for research – there are significant fewer records online, and government agencies take forever to respond.
I also had the opportunity to visit some repositories in Pennsylvania, including several visits to the Pennsylvania State Archives, which opened its new facility this year. While we can now find most of the records online, or order copies from a courthouse or archive, there is just something about being able to hold those historic documents and think about what was happening when they were created.
States vary as to what records are available online. For forensic work, which often requires recent records, the availability of those records can vary from county to county in each state. For older records, there is also a wide range of availability as to what is available online and what must be requested and/or ordered online or by mail. Just because it isn’t online doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist! Part of the fun, at least for me, is tracking down these documents.
The map above represents my genealogical travels for 2024. Not included are Ireland, England and Scotland. I am looking forward to more “travels” in 2025!